About the book

In 1948, as violence erupts in Jerusalem, a young Arab woman, Hind Husseini, finds fifty-five abandoned children in the streets and faces the biggest challenge of her life. Hind establishes the Dar El-Tifel orphanage, dedicating her life to providing love, support and education to the children, changing their destiny. As the years pass and the conflict rages on, Hind finds that - despite her best efforts - some of her older students are taking part in the violent struggle for Palestinian independence, including one of her brightest students, Miral. Rula Jebreal traces the lives of generations of Palestinians in order to understand the intractable conflict. Based on fact, Hind Husseini, benefactor of thousands of children, is the figurehead in this examination of race, religion and what a homeland means.

About the author

Rula Jebreal is an award-winning journalist who specialises in immigration rights issues. She was born in Palestine, studied and worked in Italy for many years, and now lives in New York.

Reviews

PRAISE FOR THE FILM:Courageous and groundbreaking... The strength and importance of Miral lies in its vantage point.

- Independent

A cry for peace... Miral is a moving portrayal of life in Israel for Palestinian women?

- Evening Standard

Wears its heart on its sleeve

- Daily Telegraph

A film that is both moving and deeply poignant. The fact that's it's all told through the eyes of a woman gives it a human edge which is both unsettling and hugely fascinating.